The Ohio legislature recently passed a bill to end the artificial capping of fees by dental insurers, NBC affiliate WFMJ reported June 13.
The bill allows dentists to negotiate fees for services directly with patients if a service is not covered by insurance. A dentist must provide an estimated cost of each service before the work is done, WFMJ reported.
State Rep. Nick Santucci told WFMJ he was pleased to see the bill passed, calling the capping of fees by insurers "unethical," and adding that the bill will protect dental providers.
The bill also enters Ohio into the Dentist and Dental Hygienist compact. The interstate compact supports license portability, allowing dentists and dental hygienists to practice in all participating states without needing to obtain a license for each individual state.
Ohio would become the 10th state to join the compact, following Minnesota, Colorado, Maine, Washington, Iowa, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin and Kansas. The compact became effective in April when Maine became the 7th state to join.
The legislation will now be sent to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine for final approval.